Article for free-weight training

Abstract

A light, ruggedized, easily used, easily storable and shippable article suitable for free-weight training at any number of pre-determined weights, is disclosed. The invention provides a bag suitable for filling with a readily available material such as sand or soil. The bag includes a pouch including indicia presenting a calibration marker. The bag also has a handle and a fixing structure. When one material from a predetermined set, for example dry, fine sand is filled in the pouch to the calibration marker, the bag is at a substantially pre-determined weight. The bag is then cinched tight with the fixing structure. In this fashion the bag may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training at a substantially predetermined weight. In preferred embodiments, the bag also includes orthogonally intersecting, reinforcing bands at the exterior on the bottom of the bag for rugged, long lasting use. Also a gap may be formed between the intersecting bands and the bottom of the bag, to allow other items to be hooked or otherwise attached at the bottom of the bag for portability. Preferably also includes indicia in addition to the calibration marker, for example filling and folding instructions, as well as a website URL address where the user can observe calibration data for various materials and other information.

1 . An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: 
 a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;    a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and    fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise article of  claim 1 , further including indicia disposed on the exterior of the bag, the indicia describing weights for various materials, associated with the calibration marker.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise article of  claim 1 , wherein the calibration marker is disposed nine inches from the bottom of the bag.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise article of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is made substantially of cordura.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise article of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is made substantially of canvas.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise article of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is made substantially of a synthetic resin.  
   
   
       7 . An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: 
 a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;    an accessory carrier member disposed on the exterior of the bag, proximal to the bottom thereof;    a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and    fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.    
   
   
       8 . The exercise article of  claim 7 , further including a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise article of  claim 8 , wherein the carrier member is formed by an overlapping intersection of the cinch strap and the handle strap.  
   
   
       10 . An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising: 
 a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;    a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag;    a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and    a folding flap affixed to the top of the bag, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the folding flap is folded over the material and the cinch strap is tightened over the folding flap to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.    
   
   
       11 . The exercise article of  claim 10 , further including a reinforcement band disposed on the exterior of the bag running completely about the periphery thereof, substantially disposed about halfway between the top and bottom of the bag.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise article of  claim 10 , further including at least one handle strap reinforcement patch straddling the handle strap proximal the top of the bag.  
   
   
       13 . The exercise article of  claim 10 , further including at least one cinch strap reinforcement patch straddling the cinch strap proximal the top of the bag.